Russia Acts as Power Broker as U.S.-Taliban Talks Intensify

By Abdul Qadir Sediqi and Rupam Jain

KABUL – Russia is set to host a meeting on Tuesday with the Taliban and Afghan politicians who oppose President Ashraf Ghani, according to sources from both Russia and the Taliban. This gathering highlights Russia’s emerging role as a power broker amid concerns from U.S. officials, who claim it could disrupt the U.S.-backed peace process.

Sources indicate that Moscow decided to exclude the Afghan government from the talks to ensure the participation of the Taliban, who have refused to engage in discussions with Ghani’s representatives, labeling them as U.S. puppets. A Russian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, "Senior Taliban leaders and prominent Afghan politicians will travel to Moscow for a day-long summit. At this sensitive stage, it was best to not have Afghan government officials at the table."

The Russian Embassy in Kabul declined to comment on the matter.

The upcoming talks in Moscow reflect Russia’s increasing influence in Afghanistan, following its withdrawal decades ago. The country has been actively pursuing business investment, diplomatic outreach, and limited military assistance to the central government while the Afghan administration grapples with regaining control of territories lost to the Taliban.

According to the latest quarterly report from the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, control of Afghanistan’s territory and populace has become increasingly contested, with a noted decline in the Afghan government’s control or influence.

The decision to host critics of Ghani, including former President Hamid Karzai, has stirred discontent in Kabul and among U.S. officials, with one senior U.S. official accusing Russia of trying to complicate the peace process and undermine the Afghan government.

Key critics of Ghani, such as Mohammad Mohaqiq, Mohammad Ismail Khan, and Atta Mohammad Noor—who previously fought against the Soviets—are expected to attend the Moscow meeting. Taliban spokesman Sohail Shahin indicated that a delegation led by senior political leader Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai would be involved in what has now been reported as a two-day event.

Russia previously held a multilateral summit in November aimed at finding resolutions to the ongoing war, bringing together delegates from the Afghan government, the Taliban, and representatives from multiple nations, including the United States.

Analysts suggest that Russia seeks to maintain positive relations with the Taliban, who are working towards reinstating strict Islamic law after being ousted in 2001. Political science professor Wadir Safi from Kabul University remarked, "Russia understands that Ghani’s government was established with U.S. support, which is why they are not prioritizing it." He also cautioned that the Moscow meeting could create obstacles for ongoing peace talks if it is not coordinated with U.S. initiatives.

In January, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed support for the U.S. peace initiative but noted that the American efforts to engage the Taliban in negotiations with the Kabul government have not yielded success.

The United States currently has around 14,000 troops stationed in Afghanistan, part of a NATO-led mission focused on supporting Afghan forces and combating terrorist groups like al Qaeda and the Islamic State. The next round of peace discussions involving U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban’s new political leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar is scheduled to take place in Qatar on February 25.